Introduction
Periods are not only about bodily changes. Women’s emotional changes go mostly undetected, depending on immense social stigmas. Depression, anxiety, mood swings, or irritability often seem to exist inside these girls and women before menstruation and during it. These emotions are perfectly natural, however, society prefers to ignore them.
Menstrual health and mental health are closely related. When it is not linked with women mental health, it becomes outright difficult for girls to manage both their bodies and minds every month. Therefore, speaking about these factors helps give women empowerment, to build their confidence, and emotional well-being.
Hormonal Changes and Emotions
Why Do Mood Swings Occur?
Many hormonal changes take place in a girl before and during her menstruation. In these hours, hormones involved in the processes may rise or fall, influencing serotonin, which is considered to be the brain’s mood regulator.
Should serotonin levels lower, emotions of sadness or frustration will hit these girls. Occasionally, they do not understand what is running through them. These up-and-down feelings are okay. They must never be taken as making the girls weak or as “them just overreacting” to the situation. This is just how their body functions!
PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome)
PMS comprises tendencies in physical and emotional symptoms that occur a few days before an actual menstrual period. These may include:
- Mood swings
- Tiredness
- Anger or irritation
- Headaches
- Sadness or crying
- Trouble focusing
Some girls can have quite mild PMS, while others face hard times. Such symptoms hinder activities related to school, work, or other such daily activities, which necessitates Period education for the girls and their families.
Consequences of Poor Menstrual Health on Mental Well-Being
Anxiety Caused by No Access to Proper Hygiene Materials
In various places, women do not have sanitary pads and clean toilets for fear of having their clothes stained or being mocked. This constant fear and worry cause mind stress and, ironically, prevent concentration on studies or free movement.
Proper women Hygiene are considered very important for the body as well as for emotional security. When these needs are not met, girls become self-conscious and ever-so-shy during their periods.
SOURCE: Rage, Restlessness, and Frustration
Period cramps and nausea, body aches, chills, or tiredness can cause an emotional heaviness. When such pains are brushed aside, it can force a girl into feeling unsupported. And here is where frustration and sorrow start to build, particularly when girls are expected to “act normal” while they are struggling.
Chronic pain is the enemy that decreases sleep quantity, increases stress, and debilitates mental health.
Gender Silence and Stigma about Menstruation
Why Not Talking Makes Things Worse
Periods are taboo topics in many households. Girls get told not to discuss them openly. This silence builds shame. Draining girls of their dignity is an effective way to scar their image of themselves.
Such emotions might leave lasting impressions on a girl trying to make sense of her body.
Stereotypes and threats lessen self-confidence
Thus, at school, girls get teased for staining their clothes or behaving in a different way that they didn’t do during their time on the period. Although these little jokes seem unimportant at that moment, they do damage self-esteem and the healing journey becomes long and difficult. The girl then begins to hide and grins through the pain, thus unconsciously injuring herself both mentally and physically.
Healthy practice for mental support
How to take care of your mental health during periods
Even some simple changes in one’s daily routine can have a huge positive impact on emotional balancing. Healthy habits entail:
- Sleeping enough
- Having light and healthy meals
- Drinking water
- Doing some light stretching or walking
- Conveying feelings to someone worthy of confidence
- Breathing deeply or jotting down thoughts
These habits are great at reducing stress, calming one’s mind, and serving as a balm for bearing through those days.
When One Should Seek Help
If the feeling of sadness, anxiety, or anger seems too heavy or continues even after the end of their period, one must talk to a doctor or counselor about it. Asking for help is not a drawback; it is a measure to stay healthy in the body and soul.
Hence, more spaces and support from schools, homes, and communities need to be developed, something which a lot of NGO for women’s health are working hard toward achieving.
Conclusion
Menstrual health is not just about the physical. It goes into the heart and mind as well. The hormonal changes, bad sanitary conditions, pain, and shame affect her perception of menstruation.
It’s about time to stop looking at periods as a mere physical event. Mental health needs some light shed on it, so these girls can be given emotional support, and finally, foster open-air spaces to air feelings. These are just the first among many steps that must be taken to ensure every girl has health, happiness, and dignity in her life.
With an understanding of the full picture – both mental and physical – we can create a safe world where girls will feel seen and strong every day of the month.
FAQs
Q1. Can periods cause mood changes?
Mood swings can happen due to hormonal changes. It’s a typical thing.
Q2. What is the best way to get through stress during periods?
Rest, eat, keep hydrated, remain physically active; and share how you’re feeling.
Q3. Do sanitation issues obstruct mental health?
Yes, it can pile on the stress, uneasiness, fear of bullying, and inconvenience in public.
Q4. What is the full form of PMS?
It is a shortened form of Premenstrual Syndrome. These are the premenstrual indications of an emotional and physical nature.
Q5. Mood swings are normal during menstruation, is it something worth going to a specialist for?
If you feel like the feelings are too intense or last too long, then it is probably time to sit down and talk about these feelings with a counselor or professional.
